'Clearly Spell Out': NHRC Seeks Centre, Manipur Govt Reports On Measures After Ethnic Clashes

The NHRC has issued notices to the Centre, the Manipur government, and the state's police chief, asking them to "clearly spell out" the steps being taken to bring peace to the restive state.

People participate in a protest rally against Manipur violence. (Representational Image)

Source : PTI Images

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Centre, the Manipur government, and the state's police chief on Tuesday in response to the ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur. The NHRC has requested detailed reports, emphasising the importance of outlining measures aimed at restoring peace in the conflict-ridden state, news agency PTI reported citing officials.

The NHRC had previously issued notices in a number of cases involving violent incidents in Manipur. In response to these notices, it has now received action-taken reports (ATRs) from the Manipur government. According to PTI, the reports detail the state government's response to the incidents of violence, including the reinforcement of law and order machinery, security enhancements, the establishment of relief camps, the formation of a peace committee, the gradual restoration of internet and banking services, ex-gratia payments to the families of the deceased, compensation packages for the injured, and the reconstruction of dioceses.

Furthermore, the NHRC has been informed that the Centre has established an inquiry commission to look into the root causes of the conflict, with six First Information Reports (FIRs) being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for independent investigations. According to the rights panel's statement, a significant number of relief camps are actively operating in the affected areas.

In light of these developments and taking into account various factors, the NHRC has issued new notices to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs Secretary, the Chief Secretary, and the Director-General of Police of the Government of Manipur, requesting action taken reports. The ATRs were requested on a variety of issues, with a four-week deadline for submission.

Since May 3, ethnic clashes have erupted in Manipur, primarily between the Meitei community, which is concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the Kukis, who live in the hills.

The NHRC's statement emphasises the importance of peace-building initiatives between rival communities. It requests that the state government provide details on compensation paid to victims' next of kin, compassionate appointments made, and comprehensive steps taken to restore peace as soon as possible.

The NHRC also directs the state government to provide adequate sanitation and waste disposal facilities in relief camps, as well as clean drinking water for cooking and washing, nutritionally balanced food as prescribed by the National Disaster Management Authority, health and mental health services, and primary healthcare by arranging visits from health workers, with no shortage of medicines.

Furthermore, the statement emphasises the availability of schooling and educational services in affected areas for the benefit of children in camps, the provision of employment for camp residents, and the expedited assistance for the reconstruction of damaged houses.

Over the last few months, the NHRC revealed that it had registered a total of 18 cases involving human rights violations in Manipur. Because these issues are so similar, the Commission issued unified questionnaires for reports from the relevant authorities. While responses have been received in the majority of cases, reminder notices have been issued for reports in the remaining cases, according to the statement.